*Rockin' Christmas*

This year was the year to spend Christmas with my family!  It was loads of fun to be at my parents with my two older brother's families, my little sister & brother and my Love!  (My older sister and her boys in England didn't make it this year... sad).  I love my parents house during Christmas, my Mom is the most beautiful decorater ever.  It's the most cozy house, I swear I just sat on the couch and stared at the tree most of the time. 

Christmas Eve was wonderful.  We started it off with a delishious, traditional Christmas eve buffet of finger foods and sandwiches.  Then a rendition of the Nativity.  I was an angel, Joey a shepherd and Dolly was a lamb haha.  We then opened a few presents, we got a game from my brother Eric & his wife McCall and some cd's from my little brother Jared.  THEN we had story time.  Eric & Dad took turns reading a book out loud.  We sprinkled out some "reindeer food" and put out some cookies, milk, carrots and hot sauce(Jared's addition) out for Santa Claus, and that's when Joey and I retired.  We were spent.

Christmas Day!

I admit, I slept in.  I'm not the little girl anymore who would wake up at the butt crack of dawn, run into my parents room to wake them up, check to make sure the cookies and milk were eaten and start unwrapping gifts before my parents lifted their heads off their pillows.  Nope, I slept in and I slept gooood :)  I even took a shower quickly before I was summoned to join everyone to open stockings.  Sr. Claus decided it would be funny to stuff a wrapped up PREGNANCY TEST in my stocking so I would open it up in front of everyone... He also got my sister in law's stockings too... I think someone is hinting they want some more grand children haha.  THEN Joe & I got a baby blanket, wash clothes, teething toys and a onsie from my brother's and their wives.  We were then informed that they had all been taking bets whether or not we would be "announcing anything" that weekend.  Jeez hahaha.  Joey or "Santa" left something a little special from VS in the bottom of my stocking... I love this tradition :)

We all took a break and ate breakfast and/or showered and it was on to round 2!  Present opening.  Joey made off with a new BlueRay player, a billion new shirts & sweaters, among other things from "Mrs. Claus".  From "Mr. Claus" I got new boots, ear rings, jeans, books, movies, lots of other stuff and... wait for it... BON JOVI TICKETS!  Silly boy was able to keep it a secret this long, pretty much made me believe he didn't want to go no way no how.  I CAN'T WAIT to go!  We also had a beautiful antler lamp made by our friend Shoat (here's his website) from antlers we already had, but we didn't bring it to my parents because it was so big(picture later).  We got games and an Ensign subscribtion from my wonderful parents, Joey got a new rope and I got a hot drink maker from him awesome parents. 

THANK YOU so much parents, siblings, in laws, friends, for all the gifts, cards and wishes this Chritmas.  It was a MARVELOUS 2nd Christmas with the Love Of My Life!!!

I'll post some pictures up soon when I get my computer back from the Apple Store.

*CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE*

I hope everyone has a very merry Christmas!  Remember what this time of year is all about.  I'm so for my Savior Jesus Christ!  This is my SECOND Christmas with my sweetheart, I love him more than words can describe, I am so happy I get to spend the holidays with him for the rest of time.  Merry Christmas Baby and Merry Christmas everyone!

Love,

JencyJo

*More Money Then We've Got... Ahh Well*

This month has been a spendy one... So far we've spent WAY too much on Christmas which if we'd known how much we'd be spending this month we would and should have cut down considerablly on everything, like a whole new wardrobe of clothes for Joey, a couple clothes for me, too much jewelery and hair pieces for me, our big present for both of us from "Santa" haha, I went crazy with a bunch of little things for Joe's stocking, and he went crazy with a bunch of books and movies I had on my wish list, and I can't even rememeber what else, jeez!  Then there's the whole new screen for the computer, we decided paying for a new screen sounded a lot better than paying for a brand new Mac!  THEN we decided this month of all months to get much needed repairs and such done on our pick-ups... Joey changed our oil with top of the line oil filters and oils, my truck got new belts, brakes(shoes for the rear), it's getting the pitman arm, idler arm and front left tie rods changed AND Joey got a steering wheel cover, which of course was the freakin' cheapest thing.  We decided with how much we've been paying for these stupid trucks we might as well keep them running well!  And then, there's the pets... yeah... I've stocked up on dog and cat food, kitty litter, bought collars and leashes, needing to buy a kennel so we can give our friends back the ones they let us borrow (THANK YOU), I broke down and got some chew toys for the puppies for Christmas, and got Dolly her last vaccination.  Don't get pets people, they are spendy little snots.  I also decided to make a trip to Sam's Club and stock up on groceries and toiletries for when we move back to the ranch at the end of this month.  And last but not least bills, a couple late charges on some no less because I haven't been on the ball.

So basically, camera... gonna have to wait until next month :( But that's okay.

Merry Christmas Joseph and Jency hahaha

*A Little Of Us - Christmas Pictures 2010*

*Gift Ideas For Your Lovey*

Having a hard time trying to figure out what to get your hubby?  Here's some cute ideas I've come up with:

-Have your little one paint pictures and get them framed 

- Get him a shirt or an outfit YOU really like because you think he'll look sexy in it

- If you have kids than arrange a babysitter for a weekend you KNOW you guys can have off (it could be weeks or months from now) and find a good deal online to a place near by and book it. Put the itinerary, pictures, activity ideas, maybe something a little naughty all together and give him that

- A Victoria's Secret gift card with a note that says "This gift card is good for one VS lingerie modeling session and the outfit of your choice (preferably the one you thought I looked best in)"

- An ITunes gift card so HE can choose some music to put on your IPod (or his if you don't share one like most couples I know!)

- A tie (I know I know, a TIE? But, they do wear them a lot and it's nice to have some variety. Unlike Joey who has ummm 3 I think.  They have cool ranch type ones at CAL Ranch I think I might get him) Or you can splurge and get a nice Italian silk tie

- Make sure you know what he's been "eyeing" in the stores and so e back later and snag it

- His favorite hard to find candy (Joey's is chocolate covered cinnamon bears) or his favorite candy but Christmas themed.  Like X-mas tree shaped Reese's peanut butter cups

- Something he or you guys together NEED for the house, the car, the kitchen.  Like, Joey's steering wheel is wearing so I'm getting him a steering wheel cover (By the way, I hope he doesn't read this post anytime soon haha)

- Anything sentimental.  That's what gifting to your husband is all about.  Because, really, you're spending his money anyway ;)

- A Robe. You wouldn't think it but on those loungey days it's SO fun to wear nothin' but a robe ;) Make sure you buy one for yourself too.  He'll like that!

- I just found this and I want it now!  Good music to wake up to? Sign me up, if I have to wake up to his alarm might as well be to some Chris Ledoux (or if I got my hands on it a little Def Lep)

Stocking stuffers

- The X-mas themed candy like I said above

- Beef jerky sticks

- Socks (Joey ALWAYS needs new socks)

- A deck of card (Or a fun card game)

- New pair of working gloves

- A dvd you guys don't have that he LOVES

- PJ bottoms (to stuff at the bottom of the stocking) or a little naughty underwear(for you, but in a way for him too!)

- A bottle of good smelling body wash (Axe smells pretty good)

- A new razor (one of the super nice ones!)

- World's Largest Gummie Worm? YES!

- A little hand-held game device (Like 20 questions or something he can mess around with when he's at home and not helping out with the laundry)

Go check out Gifts.com, they have some good ideas! Have fun shopping.  I messed up and got mine done early so now every time I go into a store I find more and more I want to get Joe!

*It's Just A Family Tradition*

Family traditions... we all have them.  Some are awesome, some are pointless, some are just plain embarrassing.  Since Thanksgiving is only a day away I'm going to talk a little bit about our family tradition we have during the holidays.  It's not something Joe and I just sat down and told each other about.  We learned about each others traditions the hard way.  For instance...  I LOVE that on the weekend after the week of Thanksgiving my family will go up to our cabin, stay a few days, and go CHRISTMAS TREE HUNTING!  Well, that turned out all fine and dandy (I'll talk about our tree and our new tradtion in a sec).  It was the 3 weeks until Christmas when I realized WHY my parents in law have a fake tree... Joseph is allergic... of course, I mean he just has to be allergic to one of my FAVORITE parts of Christmas.  Poor thing, we still are getting a live tree :)  Am I mean to say he'll live and deal with it for a couple weeks out of the year?  But, no he was the one who said I could have my tree.  It just has to be down and out of the house the day after Christmas, none of this leaving-it-up-until-New-Years business :)

Now that we are married we have decided to trade off holidays between his family and mine in correspondence with our other siblings.  This year it is Thanksgiving at the ranch and Christmas up with my family (minus my sister and her family in England... sorry I just have to give her a hard time every chance I get.  Love you sis).  Holidays at the ranch are an exciting deal... 2 grandparents, 7 couples, (minus TOM, little butt is staying in Nashville for the holidays where it's "warm") 21 children under the age of 15 (most are under the age of 8) WOW.  That house if FULL.  Never a dull moment though and I absolutely LOVE it. 

Thanksgiving
Some of the Thanksgiving traditions I've kept going from my family are:

- Lemon & Kentucky Derby Pies

- Turkey/stuffing leftover sandwiches

Joeys:

- Tri-tip roast along with the turkey

So, wow, I just realized we don't have many Thanksgiving traditions.  Which makes me sad because I was telling my mom that around here it's almost like Thanksgiving is skipped completely.  They go strait from Halloween to Christmas.  Hardly any decorations, nothing!  It's like a big dinner than WHAM the Christmas tree goes up and Christmas music comes on.  I need to get some more thanksgiving decorations, and when we have kids I think I'll do a little Thanksgiving lesson of sorts and find a good Thanksgiving book to read each year.  I do love that our Thanksgivings have always been about families.  When I say my prayers that has always been the very 1st think I say I am Thankful for... My family.  I'm so thankful that Joey is part of my family now.  My family is everything to me.

Christmas

Some of the Thanksgiving traditions I've kept going from my family are:

- Christmas Tree hunting week after Thanksgiving

- Decorating the tree for family night that next Monday while we play Christmas music and break out the egg nog with a little bit of nutmeg sprinkled on top

- Christmas Eve buffet (my mom makes the most amazing finger foods EVER)

- Christmas Eve reading of The Night Before Christmas

- Leaving out veggies and cookies with milk for Santa (This is for the kids when we have some).  Then after they are asleep "Santa" eats some of the cookies, drinks some of the milk, the reindeer nibbles on the veggies and Santa leaves a thank you note and some of his beard(cotton) gets stuck around the living room
- Joe & I each got a Christmas ornament on our honeymoon at Lake Tahoe just like my parents did on theirs in Hawaii.  Every Christmas once the tree is al decorated my parents each take a turn hanging their special ornament up high on the tree.  So we are going to carry on that tradition with our honeymoon ornaments as well!

- Joey aka: Santa leaves me a little "naughty clothing" in the toe of my stocking. I don't know what my parents were thinking making us kids think Santa was leaving Mommy lingerie but hey, it was cute... Not to mention Joey LOVED this idea :)

Joey's:

(This is horrible but I can't think right now of what some of his family's Christmas traditions are.  I'll remember and come back and finish this ASAP, right now I'm just gonna go ahead and post this!)



Here are the traditions we have started (or are going to start) for our little family:

Thanksgiving

- Find a GREAT Thanksgiving book to read each year

- I'm going to learn to make a different stuffing each year (Stuffing is my FAV part)

- Possibly make a "Thankful Countdown to Thanksgiving" chart where each day for the month of Nov. we'll write something down we are thankful for

Christmas

- (We started this last year) Do something weird for something like decorations, Christmas pictures or something that has to do with Christmas.  Like last year we cut down a funky tree that was like two trees in one.  We decorated one side all western for Joe and the other all hot pink for mine. (I'll post a picture when I can, I'm not currently on my computer).  Other ideas we have come up with is Putting some Halloween decor up on our front door, taking a whole bunch of Christmas lights and deer and just throwing them up on the roof and plugging them in, laying deer on the ground with red lights around them and have a Santa with a rifle in his hands haha... Those are all big IF's but you get the idea, something "weird and fun"

- Buying PJ's for each other and opening them Christmas eve

- (When we have kids) Make "Reindeer Food" out of Quaker oats and glitter. Then sprinkle it out in the yard so "the reindeer can find our house" and have a "magic snack"

I love the holidays and getting to spend time with the family.  Joe & I had a great year last year spending our first holidays together and I can't wait to spend them with him for the rest of forever and I absolutely can't wait to add some little ones to the mix and make the holidays extra special for them!

HAVE A VERY THANKFUL & HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

*Our 1st Holiday Season Together*

This year we got to spend Christmas in Randolph with the Westons. It was a blast. And TONS of delicious snacks ALL week long :) On Christmas day we opened presents with Mom & Dad Weston and Jessi & Jaymon and their little family.

We are keeping my parents tradition of stocking each other's stockings. I was planning on sewing together my own wrangler jean stockings but when I saw these at Smith & Edwards I thought "what the heck, already made, less work for me!" haha so I bought them and am going to sew on our names. I got our names all cut out but didn't get around to sewing them on before Christmas, but that's ok...next year!

Joey got his ipod stolen right out of his truck a couple months ago. So for christmas Santa brought him a new one. Santa got me some pretty awesome gifts (UGGS!) but I didn't look so good that morning so there are no pictures of me up :) He also carried on my family's tradition of stuffing the bottom of my mom's stocking with something frilly and kinda naughty. Santa's got good taste :)

Hagen loves rolling around in the snow but on this particular day it wouldn't stop snowing and she sat by the front door begging to come in. But she looked so cute. It almost worked haha.

For New Years Eve we decided to just have a relaxing night. We went to McCall's parents house and ate some yummy snacks and played the Train game for a while then we ran to the grocery store to get some bubbly and snacks and went home to watch the ball drop and spend a cozy 1st New Year's together.

New Year's Kiss!

Opi had a fun New Year's Eve aswell

She wasn't sure about the bubbly though

*Oh Christmas Tree*

The weekend after Thanksgiving while we were at Joe's parents ranch we rescued a little kitten. Green Eyes the ranch cat brought out her little baby from hiding and whenever she does that the kitten either gets eaten by the dogs, or owls and foxes, you name it. This kitten was so cute so I talked Joey into letting me take her home so she could survive. So now we have a new addition to our little family. Joe named her Oprah :) We call her "Opi" for short.

She has green eyes just like her kitty momma.

She loves her dad.

CUTE!!!

Joe & I decorated our tree for Family Night. We got a picture of us each putting our own ornament we got on our honeymoon at Lake Tahoe. We carried on my parents tradition of every Christmas putting up their ornaments they got on their honeymoon in Hawaii.

Opi likes to play under the tree.